The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Outlasting Invaders Since 330 BCE

A History of Invasion Darius I & Babylonians conquered it in approx. 500 BCE Alexander the Great & Macedonians conquered it in 329 BCE Mahmud of Ghazni incorporated it into his massive empire (Iran to India) in 11th Century Genghis Khan took control in 13th Century Afghanistan was not independent until Darius I & Babylonians conquered it in approx. 500 BCE Alexander the Great & Macedonians conquered it in 329 BCE Mahmud of Ghazni incorporated it into his massive empire (Iran to India) in 11th Century Genghis Khan took control in 13th Century Afghanistan was not independent until Mahmud of Ghazni considered the greatest conqueror of Afghanistan

Who were these constantly embattled people?

The Afghan People All of this invasion led to an ethnically diverse population of approx. 29 million. 80% live rurally. Vast majority are Muslim. Pashtuns are majority ethnic group (approx. 38%) Other minority ethnic groups: Tajiks (25%) Hazaras (19%) Uzbeks (6%) All of this invasion led to an ethnically diverse population of approx. 29 million. 80% live rurally. Vast majority are Muslim. Pashtuns are majority ethnic group (approx. 38%) Other minority ethnic groups: Tajiks (25%) Hazaras (19%) Uzbeks (6%)

Most Afghans speak 2-3 languages

Anglo-Afghan Wars Both Russia & Great Britain hoped to control Afghanistan Three Conflicts ( ; ; 1919) First Afghan War—Great Britain tried to extend colonial India into Afghanistan (and stop Russia from encroaching) by crowning a Shah Shoja (a puppet monarch) and sending in an occupying force of 16,000 Indian/British troops Afghan insurrections ultimately forced British to withdraw and Afghans reinstated their own leader. Both Russia & Great Britain hoped to control Afghanistan Three Conflicts ( ; ; 1919) First Afghan War—Great Britain tried to extend colonial India into Afghanistan (and stop Russia from encroaching) by crowning a Shah Shoja (a puppet monarch) and sending in an occupying force of 16,000 Indian/British troops Afghan insurrections ultimately forced British to withdraw and Afghans reinstated their own leader.

Shah Shoja holding court in Kabul before he was forced to flee the country.

Anglo-Afghan Wars Second Afghan War--fearful of growing Russian influence in Afghanistan, Britain again invaded on November 21, 1878 Shir Ali (Afghan’s leader) fled the capital & died in exile in British again occupied Kabul Recognized Shir Ali’s son, Ya’qub Khan as their new leader if he would accept a permanent British embassy & take their advice on foreign affairs. Peace didn’t last long, when a British envoy, Sir Louis Cavagnari & his escort were murdered on September 3, 1879 Ya’qub abdicated the throne & Britain lost their puppet monarch. Russian & British drew the boundaries of Afghanistan. Second Afghan War--fearful of growing Russian influence in Afghanistan, Britain again invaded on November 21, 1878 Shir Ali (Afghan’s leader) fled the capital & died in exile in British again occupied Kabul Recognized Shir Ali’s son, Ya’qub Khan as their new leader if he would accept a permanent British embassy & take their advice on foreign affairs. Peace didn’t last long, when a British envoy, Sir Louis Cavagnari & his escort were murdered on September 3, 1879 Ya’qub abdicated the throne & Britain lost their puppet monarch. Russian & British drew the boundaries of Afghanistan. British envoy, Sir Louis Cavagnari negotiating with Afghan ruler, Ya’qub Khan in 1879

Anglo-Afghan Wars Afghanistan remained uninvolved in WWI because of a strong leader, Habibullah Khan. But, he was assassinated in 1919 and his son, Amunullah Khan took the throne. Amunallah declared total independence from Great Britain in his inaugural address there by kicking off... The Third Afghan War—A month long war, consisting of only small skirmishes between archaic Afghan army and a British army wiped out and exhausted from World War I End with a peace treaty giving Afghanistan its independence in They also signed a treat of friendship with the new Bolshevik regime in Russia, becoming one of the first states to recognize the new Soviet regime. Afghanistan remained uninvolved in WWI because of a strong leader, Habibullah Khan. But, he was assassinated in 1919 and his son, Amunullah Khan took the throne. Amunallah declared total independence from Great Britain in his inaugural address there by kicking off... The Third Afghan War—A month long war, consisting of only small skirmishes between archaic Afghan army and a British army wiped out and exhausted from World War I End with a peace treaty giving Afghanistan its independence in They also signed a treat of friendship with the new Bolshevik regime in Russia, becoming one of the first states to recognize the new Soviet regime. Amanullah Khan of Afghanistan

Free at last? Maybe not!

The Soviet Invasion Soviets invaded Afghanistan to help Communist minority group take control of the government from the anti- communist Muslim majority in 1979 with 30,000 troops Soviets tried to ruthlessly put down opposition. Muslim anti-communists collectively known as mujahideen (Arabic from “those who engage in jihad) were tireless in their rebellion Soviets invaded Afghanistan to help Communist minority group take control of the government from the anti- communist Muslim majority in 1979 with 30,000 troops Soviets tried to ruthlessly put down opposition. Muslim anti-communists collectively known as mujahideen (Arabic from “those who engage in jihad) were tireless in their rebellion Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan December 1979

The Soviet Stalemate Soviets used 100,000 troops to control the cities and larger towns BUT Mujahideen controlled the countryside (especially the mountains) using guerrilla tactics (irregular warfare using military tactics including ambushes, sabotages, raids, and hit and run tactics) So, Soviets used air support to bomb villages that supported them. Led to 4.3 million Afghans fleeing Thanks to the U.S. supplying shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to the mujahideen, and Muslims coming from all over the world, the Afghans outlasted the Soviets. Soviets lost 15,000 men (even more injured) and withdrew completely on Feb. 15, Soviets used 100,000 troops to control the cities and larger towns BUT Mujahideen controlled the countryside (especially the mountains) using guerrilla tactics (irregular warfare using military tactics including ambushes, sabotages, raids, and hit and run tactics) So, Soviets used air support to bomb villages that supported them. Led to 4.3 million Afghans fleeing Thanks to the U.S. supplying shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to the mujahideen, and Muslims coming from all over the world, the Afghans outlasted the Soviets. Soviets lost 15,000 men (even more injured) and withdrew completely on Feb. 15, Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan May 1988

Afghanistan After the Soviets A bloody civil war for control of the country 1996—Taliban takes control of Kabul and institutes Islamic law: Severely limiting women’s rights Introduced strict punishment for all (stoning, amputations, etc...) Outlawing the profitable agricultural drug business Crushing secular educational system 1998—U.S. launches missile strikes against militant Osama bin Laden (accused of bombing our embassies in Africa) 1999—Impost sanctions and embargo on Afghanistan until they give up Osama bin Laden A bloody civil war for control of the country 1996—Taliban takes control of Kabul and institutes Islamic law: Severely limiting women’s rights Introduced strict punishment for all (stoning, amputations, etc...) Outlawing the profitable agricultural drug business Crushing secular educational system 1998—U.S. launches missile strikes against militant Osama bin Laden (accused of bombing our embassies in Africa) 1999—Impost sanctions and embargo on Afghanistan until they give up Osama bin Laden

America Invades Afghanistan September 11, 2001—U.S. is attacked by Muslim terrorists under orders from Osama bin Laden October 2001—U.S. leads bombing of Afghanistan & invades Kabul December 2001—New power- sharing government is created and led by Hamid Karzai Violence and insurgencies still continue in Afghanistan even as U.S. and allied troops withdraw... September 11, 2001—U.S. is attacked by Muslim terrorists under orders from Osama bin Laden October 2001—U.S. leads bombing of Afghanistan & invades Kabul December 2001—New power- sharing government is created and led by Hamid Karzai Violence and insurgencies still continue in Afghanistan even as U.S. and allied troops withdraw...

The Afghan People How has the history of Afghanistan impacted the culture and mindset of its people?

Homework for Next Class: Read the article, “Marriage or Else” and answer the 7 questions. Be ready to discuss!